The Board has granted a 10 percent initial rating for degenerative arthritis of both knees, wrists and hands.
The deciding factor: X-ray evidence of involvement of degenerative arthritis in two major joints (knees), two minor joint groups (wrists and interphalangeal joints of hands) was found without limitation of motion. The criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5003 were met.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis of both knees, degenerative arthritis of both wrists, degenerative arthritis of interphalangeal joints of both hands
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 4, 2002
- Citation
- 0213661
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0213661.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.
- Partly granted
The November 1985 rating decision denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disorders as secondary to his already service-connected pes planus. The RO found that there was no evidence of arthritis in the hips or knees, despite supportive medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining STRs and a medical opinion regarding whether cold injury residuals from service contributed to the Veteran's death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining unit records and credentials of the March 2003 examiner.
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